Hypercube simulation analysis for a large-scale ambulance service system

A simple yet powerful simulation model for an ambulance service system is devised and applied to a large-scale ambulance system in the Tokyo metropolis. Our simulation can provide useful measures for the location analysis of ambulance stations, which are rarely incorporated in traditional optimal location models, although they are seemingly very important for designing a reliable and efficient emergency system. Comparing simulation output and actual data enables us to investigate the present ambulance system as well as check the validity and limitations of our model. Then we use the model to evaluate solutions to the ambulance station location problem.